Batting

BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The Moravian College baseball team used strong pitching and timely hitting to defeat No. 12 Alvernia University, 5-1, in non-conference action Wednesday at Gillespie Field in a game shortened to eight innings due to darkness.

"We overcame a few mistakes today and kept at it," stated Head Coach Paul Engelhardt. "We're starting to show signs of things coming together, and this is a good time to do it as we come down the stretch chasing a conference playoff berth."

The Hounds, who are now 14-17 on the season, had seven hits in the game with senior center fielder Anthony Gaetaniello and sophomore right fielder Austin Markowski each going 2-for-4. Junior designated hitter Logan Welles was 1-for-3 with three RBIs and his first collegiate home run while sophomore third baseman Evan Kulig was 1-for-3 with a pair of RBIs.

The Greyhounds used five pitchers in a scheduled pen game with junior Dan Morrin earning his tenth career victory and third win of the season after tossing the first two innings of the game as he allowed an unearned run on three hits to go with one strikeout. Junior Adam Howard tossed one inning with a hit while sophomore Kevin Shields had one hits, one walk and one strikeout in two innings of action. Sophomore Billy Roethke pitched one inning with a walk and a hit before Kulig came on to toss the final two innings with three hits, a walk and a strikeout in his second save of the season.

Moravian jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom o the first inning. Sophomore shortstop Matt Stalter reached on an error before Markowski singled. Kulig ripped two-RBI single to right field as Stalter and Markowski scored. After another error, Welles connected on an RBI sacrifice fly to center field as Kulig raced home.

Alvernia scored on an unearned run in the second inning to cut the Blue and Grey's lead to 3-1.

The Greyhounds scored their other two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Sophomore third baseman Joey Ferolie reached on a fielder's choice with one out before Welles connected on a 3-1 pitch down the right field line for a two-run homer, his first of the season and first of his career.

Moravian is scheduled to return to action on Sunday, April 23 when the squad hosts New Jersey City University in a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m. at Gillespie Field.